Tuesday, December 24, 2013

A few images of Christmas this year. I don't have anything new or too thought provoking to share. But I do have a few thoughts that have been on my mind and I figure I might as well make a record of them.

I had the usual plans to get a lot of Christmas sewing done this year. One thing I've wanted to make forever is a tree skirt for our family room tree. There are patterns for so many cute pieced Tree-Skirts but I knew this would not be the year. Then I had a brilliant "a-ha" moment.

Last year I bought this great piece of red with white polka-dot fabric from Ikea, not really having a plan for it. I came across it earlier this month when I was looking for some other reds and realized it would be the perfect tree skirt - it was nice and wide with no piecing required. Since time seems to be my scarcest resource at the moment, I took the 60" x 60" piece to my friend Monica and had her stipple the whole thing. Plus she does a much more beautiful job than I would have.

I then cut a 45" circle from the quilted piece to create the tree skirt, made a slit up one side with a circle for the trunk, added some red gingham bias binding. (For finishing a curved edge, only bias binding will work because it will stretch.) Who doesn't love a good red and white gingham? I mean, what's more classic than that?

I was also able to get a table runner and enough for two throw pillows from that same quilted piece of red and white dots! Feeling quite chuffed about it too. So while I didn't get much other sewing done, I did get the bindings put on the tree skirt and the table runner while watching Elf. The pillows will have to wait until later, but I'll keep them out with my other red and white pillows through February, so they'll get their turn.

It has been an unusually busy Christmas season this year. I know I mentioned last summer that I have a somewhat demanding responsibility at church right now.

This year I've also been trying to help my kids do random acts of kindness as their countdown to Christmas and as their "birthday presents to Jesus". This has been one of the busiest Decembers I can remember. But my plan has worked. As I have consciously chosen to focus on acts of kindness, often setting aside my "to-do" list, and letting myself just help where it was needed that day, I have found the most beautiful Christmas spirit. It has made it a really special season this year.

I have also been trying to do a better job of recognizing the kindnesses given to me and my love ones, as well as the people I cross paths with. One example came as I went to pull out my Christmas ornaments. I found some ornaments (including this vintage glass Santa and the Swiss Frohes Fest) that were sent to me by just kind and thoughtful readers of my blog last year when talked about my love for vintage glass ornaments and collecting ornaments from other countries. What sweet gestures!

Thanks to all of you who are so generous with your support through kind and encouraging comments, and for just stopping by to say Hello! I feel continually blessed by the amazing and kind people found in this community.

I'm going to take the next week off to hang out with these guys as well as other extended family, maybe watch White Christmas a few more times, and take a nap or two. I hope you can do the same.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with those you love. Sending lots of love to you all from our house to yours!

I belong

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